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Rural Health Information Hub

Rural Health
Resources by State: Alaska

Impact of In-Home Handwashing Stations on Hand Hygiene During the COVID-19 Pandemic in Unpiped Rural Alaska Native Homes
Examines the impact of installing the Miniature Portable Alternative Sanitation System (Mini-PASS) in rural Alaskan homes that lacked piped water. Utilizes interview feedback from 71 households who used the Mini-PASS during the COVID-19 pandemic, discussing themes such as handwashing station usage, the ability to troubleshoot repairs, collaboration with tribal health organizations, and more.
Author(s): Olivia A. Harmon, Tricia S. Howe, Jacqualine D. Schaeffer, Ramot Adeboyejo, Laura P. Eichelberger
Citation: Public Health Reports, 139(1), 81S-88S
Date: 07/2024
Type: Document
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Loneliness and Social Isolation Are Common in Rural America. Is "Social Infrastructure" the Solution?
Discusses structural factors that contribute to social isolation in rural areas. Features programs in Minnesota, Nebraska, and Alaska that are finding ways to build connection into rural communities.
Author(s): Brendan Stermer
Citation: Rural Monitor
Date: 06/2024
Type: Document
Sponsoring organization: Rural Health Information Hub
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Traditional Food Security and Food Sovereignty in the Coastal Region of South-Central Alaska
Features a study on traditional food security and sovereignty for the Alutiiq and Eyak peoples of the Chugach Region of Alaska. Breaks down results by community food resources, diet and health, culture, organization and governance, food resources, and natural resources and environment. Makes recommendation on overcoming barriers and improving food systems.
Author(s): Joseph Nyholm, Amanda Walch, Leslie Redmond
Citation: International Journal of Circumpolar Health, 83(1), 2359161
Date: 05/2024
Type: Document
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Health Wanted: Finding Care in Rural America
Series of videos highlighting challenges with access to quality healthcare for rural Americans. Discusses healthcare access in remote locations, food insecurity and cultural farming practices, transportation, wellness initiatives, and chronic health conditions in 5 states. Transcript available in video description.
Date: 05/2024
Type: Video/Multimedia
Sponsoring organization: American Heart Association
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Clinical Outcomes from the Alaska Native Tribal Health Consortium Colorectal Cancer Control Program: 2009–2015
Evaluates Colorectal Cancer Control Program (CRCCP) implementation by the Alaska Native Tribal Health Consortium (ANTHC) from 2009 to 2015. Presents data on CRCCP demographics, quality measures, clinical outcomes, and screening methods. Discusses the significance of colonoscopy provision for Native Alaskan tribal populations with high colorectal cancer incidence.
Author(s): Sarah H. Nash, Elizabeth Verhage, Christie Flanagan, et al.
Citation: International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 21(5), 552
Date: 04/2024
Type: Document
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Communities Need Safe Drinking Water: A Rural Environmental Justice Case Study
Discusses access to clean drinking water in rural, underserved communities and Native nations, and presents case studies of communities working to improve environmental health equity. Features the Environmental Justice Community Action Network (EJCAN) of North Carolina, the Rural Community Assistance Corporation (RCAC) of the Native Village of Hooper Bay, Alaska, and community leaders in Ivanhoe, North Carolina.
Author(s): Rebecca Huenink
Date: 04/2024
Type: Document
Sponsoring organization: Aspen Institute
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Loud and Clear: Improving Access to Hearing Care in Rural America
Discusses barriers to rural hearing care access and the importance of hearing conservation. Features a hearing clinic in South Dakota, a telehealth program in Alaska, and a nationally available agriculture safety program working to address rural hearing care.
Author(s): Allee Mead
Citation: Rural Monitor
Date: 03/2024
Type: Document
Sponsoring organization: Rural Health Information Hub
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Selected Rural Healthcare Facilities in Alaska
Shows the state's Critical Access Hospitals (CAHs) and Rural Health Clinics (RHCs), as well as Federally Qualified Health Center (FQHC) sites and short term/PPS (Prospective Payment System) hospitals located in rural areas.
Date: 01/2024
Type: Map/Mapping System
Sponsoring organization: Rural Health Information Hub
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Provider- and System-Level Barriers and Facilitators to Colonoscopy and Multi-Target Stool DNA for Colorectal Cancer Screening in Rural/Remote Alaska Native Communities
Highlights a study of the barriers and facilitators to colorectal cancer screening for Alaska Native communities in rural and remote regions of Alaska. Bases findings on interviews with providers and an analysis of system-level factors, such as travel time and costs, weather, and COVID-19, among others.
Author(s): Diana Redwood, Melissa Toffolon, Christie Flanagan, et al.
Citation: International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 20(22), 7030
Date: 11/2023
Type: Document
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Developing a Culturally Relevant Physical Activity Guide for Alaska Native Head Start Students in Rural Alaska: The Got Neqpiaq? Study
Highlights a survey of Alaska Native Elders, teachers, and parents on cultural modifications to the Head Start preschool programs' physical playtime activities in tribal communities. Features a partnership between the Alaska Native Tribal Health Consortium, Head Start, and the Rural Alaska Community Action Program. Details lessons learned from survey results on developing culturally competent physical education programming for Alaska Native preschoolers.
Author(s): Teresa Hicks, Barb Stillwater, Kathryn Koller, et al.
Citation: International Journal of Circumpolar Health, 82(1), 2287791
Date: 11/2023
Type: Document
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